Monica Royal

Macro photographer Monica Royal was born and raised in New Brunswick Canada. She immigrated to California in 1999.

After being a hobbyist for 15 years, in 2006 she formally launched her photographic career following her studies with renowned fine art photographer Freeman Patterson. He inspired her to develop her fascination with water and other liquids as design elements within her artwork.

She shares:

I am a macro photographer not because I want to be, but because I have to be. I can’t help it. It’s what I see. It’s the beads of water on the glass on a hot day that capture my attention. It’s the way the veins of the leaves meet in the middle that inspires me when I’m hiking. Often, I miss the meadow view in favor of a single desert wildflower.

…One of my greatest thrills is showing someone something in the world that they see every day but explain where an image might be hiding within it. You think that’s just a piece of plastic, or just a piece of broken glass, but, really, it’s art, just let me show you.

Monica’s macro imagery is widely recognized as unique and innovative. She won Illustrative Photographer of the Year with Professional Photographers of San Diego in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016. Her artwork has been published in several national magazines. Monica’s articles and podcasts have been shared on numerous webpages.

As a social and entertaining artist, she has become a sought-after speaker and private art coach. Monica travels around the country speaking and teaching with the sponsorship of Tamron USA, Miller’s Professional Imaging, and Savage Universal.

Monica has permanent art installations in public venues in Canada, the U.S., and Guam as well as a long list of private collectors. She has exhibited at Escondido Art Gallery in Escondido, California and the Natural History Museum in San Diego.